Stone Harbor Opens Upgraded Recreation Complex

Posted June 22nd 2026

Stone Harbor Mayor Tim Carney and other local officials hosted a patriotic ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the newly upgraded 97th Street Recreation Complex on June 6. The Complex is a state-of-the-art community space designed for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities. The event included free hot dogs, ice cream, and water for those who attended.

The $2.07 million project, which included $1.1 million in funding through a Cape May County Open Space grant, transformed the much-loved but aging facility into a safe, modern and inclusive recreation space for residents and visitors.

Key upgrades include: an accessible and inclusive playground designed for multiple age groups and abilities; a regulation-size basketball court with professional-grade surfacing and adjustable hoops; upgraded bocce ball courts; shaded seating areas; new sidewalks, and enhanced accessibility features throughout the property.
The ribbon-cutting event featured remarks from county and local officials, followed by a tour of the new facilities and family-friendly activities. Carney emphasized the long-lasting value of these new renovations, intended to provide long-lasting memories for residents for generations to come.

“I think it’s great leadership, from the Borough Council, down to the rec committee, which is made up of citizens,” Carney said of the efforts that helped make the project a reality. “They were really the voice of the design. They had a vision, and then we worked with our engineer, Marc DeBlasio & Associates, and he grabbed an architect and designed it away.”

The project was driven by community input from Stone Harbor’s Recreation Advisory Committee, presented to the county Open Space board and approved following a public hearing before the county commissioners. The well-received concept aligns with the county’s Open Space and Farmland Preservation Program’s goals of developing public amenities that promote active lifestyles and draw visitors to the Jersey Cape.

Photo caption: Members of the community joined Mayor Tim Carney, Borough Council members, Stone Harbor’s Recreation Advisory Committee, Cape May County Commissioner Bobby Barr, and State Assemblyman Antwan McClellan to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting of the 97th Street Recreation Complex.